Abstract:

Objective   To establish a bortezomib-resistant cell line KM3/BTZ of human multiple myeloma (MM) and investigate its biological characteristics and mechanisms of drug-resistant in MM preliminarily. Methods   The KM3 cell line was exposured to bortezomib at increasing doses to obtain a stable bortezomib-resistant KM3/BTZ in vitro. The growth curve was drawn and the doubling time was counted. MTT assay was used to evaluate the sensitivity of drug resistance. The expression of MDR-1 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR in KM3 and KM3/BTZ cell lines. Results   The KM3/BTZ cell line resistant to bortezomib was established successfully with the resistance index of 19.7 (KM3/BTZ to KM3). Compared with the parent cells, KM3/BTZ exhibited a significant longer doubling time (P＜0.05) .The expression of MDR-1 mRNA was not observed in either resistant or parent cells. Conclusion   We have successfully established bortezomib resistance cell line KM3/BTZ and its drug-resistant character is stable. The KM3/BTZ cell line might serve as an ideal model to explore the drug-resistance mechanisms and to reverse the drug resistance.

Key words: Bortezomib; Drug resistance; Multiple myeloma; Cell line